Likegyldighetens tvetydighet: Overdosedødsfall etter rusmiddelbehandling
Journal article, Peer reviewed
Published version
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https://hdl.handle.net/10642/4183Utgivelsesdato
2016Metadata
Vis full innførselSamlinger
Originalversjon
Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 2016, 33(2):189-213 http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/nsad-2016-0015Sammendrag
BACKGROUND – In the European context, Norway is one of the countries with the highest over
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dose-related mortality rate. Research proves that the risk of overdose mortality among marginal-
ized drug users is particularly high during the first weeks after discharge from inpatient treat-
ment. AIM – It is therefore interesting to investigate whether there might be a connection between
marginalization and treatment culture to understand fatale overdoses after discharge from inpa-
tient treatment. DESIGN & METHODS – The case study is based on a previous field study connected
to the death register. The study focuses on a single individual, Sam, and his treatment process.
Data is analyzed in the light of a cultural analytical perspective. RESULTS – The results shows how
the treatment system can be a social arena for institutional exclusion and marginalization that ag-
gravate the person’s self-esteem and life situation. One central aspect of the process of treatment
was that it generated indifference. Sam’s treatment motivation developed into treatment indiffer
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ence. In the last part of the article, the author discusses indifference as a risk aspect of overdose
mortality after discharged from treatment. It is not possible to conclude if Sam’s overdose death
was an accident or suicide. However, in the light of action theory the case shows that indifference
can be a central aspect of both an unintentional and intentional overdose. Sam’s death can be
understood in the light of the concept ambiguous indifference. CONCLUSION – The case shows
that there may be a relationship between marginality, treatment culture and overdose mortality.
Cultural and structural aspects of the treatment system put Sam in an empty and risky situation
that probably contributed to his death. In a comparison of risk situations in this case-history with
recent research on treatment system, we can see several worrisome resemblances considering
overdose mortality after discharge from inpatient treatment.